Thinking about FAIPing
08-29-2008 | 11:57 AM
#21
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From: A320 CA
08-29-2008 | 12:51 PM
#22
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From: Legacy FO
Being a FAIP is the best kept secret the Air Force/military has to offer. Why do I say this?
Where else (military or civilian) do you start a flying job logging Instructor PIC on a multi-engine turbofan aircraft with a type rating, logging large number of landings and instrument approaches a day ???
Had I known then what I know now, I would have tried to be a FAIP.
-Fatty
Where else (military or civilian) do you start a flying job logging Instructor PIC on a multi-engine turbofan aircraft with a type rating, logging large number of landings and instrument approaches a day ???
Had I known then what I know now, I would have tried to be a FAIP.
-Fatty
08-29-2008 | 12:59 PM
#23
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The son of a friend has been in now for x yrs... recently made Lt. Col and got a squadron. He is a hard worker who looks out for his guys/gals, focuses on solving problems and getting things done. A while back he got some crappy assignments and we talked. I told him, "you're either golden or a turd when you come out of them. Do good work and you're golden. **** and moan and grind through them and you're a turd. Unfortunately, there is no in-between."
Unless he really stumbles, I think he has full bull in the bag and probably 1 star. It gets real thin above Colonel. I remember our wing commander getting his star and laughing about his 'demotion'. He said, "As a wing commander and Colonel, I had some pull.. I could get a few things done. I got to tell people what to do. As a 1 star I am the 2nd Lt of the group. I'm the go-fer. Everyone tells me what to do."
He solved problems and retired with 3 stars.
08-29-2008 | 02:31 PM
#24
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Being a FAIP is the best kept secret the Air Force/military has to offer. Why do I say this?
Where else (military or civilian) do you start a flying job logging Instructor PIC on a multi-engine turbofan aircraft with a type rating, logging large number of landings and instrument approaches a day ???
-Fatty
Where else (military or civilian) do you start a flying job logging Instructor PIC on a multi-engine turbofan aircraft with a type rating, logging large number of landings and instrument approaches a day ???
-Fatty
08-29-2008 | 02:58 PM
#25
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I hate to get this off topic, but I would not know where else to find this information........
FLY6584 said only two T38s were given out to his class.......Anybody out there know what the T-38 drops will be looking like for the near future up to say 2 years from now? Are T-38 slots going to be increasing or decreasing?
And UAVs.....I know they are increasing, and I can only imagine them increasing more, but if someone has some numbers or educated speculation than fire away.
Or is there simply no way to tell whats coming down the pipe?
FLY6584 said only two T38s were given out to his class.......Anybody out there know what the T-38 drops will be looking like for the near future up to say 2 years from now? Are T-38 slots going to be increasing or decreasing?
And UAVs.....I know they are increasing, and I can only imagine them increasing more, but if someone has some numbers or educated speculation than fire away.
Or is there simply no way to tell whats coming down the pipe?
08-29-2008 | 03:20 PM
#26
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From: 737 right
I hate to get this off topic, but I would not know where else to find this information........
FLY6584 said only two T38s were given out to his class.......Anybody out there know what the T-38 drops will be looking like for the near future up to say 2 years from now? Are T-38 slots going to be increasing or decreasing?
And UAVs.....I know they are increasing, and I can only imagine them increasing more, but if someone has some numbers or educated speculation than fire away.
Or is there simply no way to tell whats coming down the pipe?
FLY6584 said only two T38s were given out to his class.......Anybody out there know what the T-38 drops will be looking like for the near future up to say 2 years from now? Are T-38 slots going to be increasing or decreasing?
And UAVs.....I know they are increasing, and I can only imagine them increasing more, but if someone has some numbers or educated speculation than fire away.
Or is there simply no way to tell whats coming down the pipe?
As far as UAVs go let's just say that over the next year or two the Air Force needs about 1100 new UAV pilots and considering the Air Force trains about 1500 pilots a year that's a pretty scary situation. I definitely think they will start a separate pipeline, but Gates wants UAV's right now and unfortunately that's what the Air Force has to give him so I would definitely expect FY09 classes to receive UAV's and I have also heard that C-17 copilots will be a huge target for them also.
08-29-2008 | 03:37 PM
#27
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From: 737 right
"but I've seen what active duty is all about and I have absolutely no desire to do anything, but fly"
Fly6784 -
I have to disagree with the above sentence. If all you have done is UPT - you have not seen the "fleet" the AD force or anything else that you want to call it. Even if you are prior enlisted - you have not seen AD from the view that you are about to see it!
FAIPing is not my favorite thing either - the whole concept of it but I understand the need and it seems to be a pretty good program in the military; but I have to say - I wanted to get out to a "fleet" squadron as son as possible. That is what I joined for.
I feel for the not wanting to be a "company man" and only wanting to fly - and no one should complain about your dedication to the service or your country if you are wiling to give up 10+ years of your life in service - so if it is your plan to leave after 10 years and pursue a professional flying career then more power to you.
Good luck in your decision.
USMCFLYR
Fly6784 -
I have to disagree with the above sentence. If all you have done is UPT - you have not seen the "fleet" the AD force or anything else that you want to call it. Even if you are prior enlisted - you have not seen AD from the view that you are about to see it!
FAIPing is not my favorite thing either - the whole concept of it but I understand the need and it seems to be a pretty good program in the military; but I have to say - I wanted to get out to a "fleet" squadron as son as possible. That is what I joined for.
I feel for the not wanting to be a "company man" and only wanting to fly - and no one should complain about your dedication to the service or your country if you are wiling to give up 10+ years of your life in service - so if it is your plan to leave after 10 years and pursue a professional flying career then more power to you.
Good luck in your decision.
USMCFLYR
I just realized going through Phase II and seeing the difference between the Active Duty Major/Lt Col IP's and the Reserve Major/Lt Col IP's who I wanted to be in 10 years. The Active Duty guys who are considered to be lucky enough to receive a flying tour so late in their career just looked so much more stressed out and it seemed like they barely flew. They were more busy getting ready for ORI's and dealing with a bunch of BS while the Reservists just looked like some of the happiest dudes who loved what they were doing, had very little stress, and had great airline jobs on the side. On top of that the reservists were usually some of the best IP's too. I really almost felt bad for the Active Duty Majors and Lt Col's in my squadron.
08-29-2008 | 03:38 PM
#28
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From: 737 right
Being a FAIP is the best kept secret the Air Force/military has to offer. Why do I say this?
Where else (military or civilian) do you start a flying job logging Instructor PIC on a multi-engine turbofan aircraft with a type rating, logging large number of landings and instrument approaches a day ???
Had I known then what I know now, I would have tried to be a FAIP.
-Fatty
Where else (military or civilian) do you start a flying job logging Instructor PIC on a multi-engine turbofan aircraft with a type rating, logging large number of landings and instrument approaches a day ???
Had I known then what I know now, I would have tried to be a FAIP.
-Fatty
08-29-2008 | 03:49 PM
#29
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From: 737 right
You keep mentioning 'playing the game'. I understand that. I didn't 'play the game' and let every one know that I didn't 'play the game'. After about 6yrs that while I was a front line IP, one of the stick-and-rudder guys, I realized that my chances of going beyond Major or at best, Lt.Col were severely limited.
Some guys were blatant suck-ups and they never saw anything wrong with anything. At some point, they usually crossed someone or hitched their ride to the wrong guy and their star fell.
Then there were the screw-ups who were constantly in someone's office explaining something that happened. Their star never rose.
Then there was the group I was in.. I didn't 'play the game' and I was on the edge. I knew where the limits were and stayed just in bounds. When my commitment was up, I got out... everyone was happy with that decision.
Then there was a fourth group that had the respect of the others in the squadron, could fly the airplane and were problem solvers. Those were the ones that made 'full bull and on.
So, if nothing else, don't push it that you are not going to 'play the game'. Someone is going to cut you off at the knees if given the chance. It happens not only in a Squadron or in the USAF but in any flying community.
Some guys were blatant suck-ups and they never saw anything wrong with anything. At some point, they usually crossed someone or hitched their ride to the wrong guy and their star fell.
Then there were the screw-ups who were constantly in someone's office explaining something that happened. Their star never rose.
Then there was the group I was in.. I didn't 'play the game' and I was on the edge. I knew where the limits were and stayed just in bounds. When my commitment was up, I got out... everyone was happy with that decision.
Then there was a fourth group that had the respect of the others in the squadron, could fly the airplane and were problem solvers. Those were the ones that made 'full bull and on.
So, if nothing else, don't push it that you are not going to 'play the game'. Someone is going to cut you off at the knees if given the chance. It happens not only in a Squadron or in the USAF but in any flying community.
08-29-2008 | 04:43 PM
#30
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And I didn't realize it had a type rating that came with it. ??
